Mamey Island, panamaischen

How to Get There, Prices, Camping and What to Do

Mamey Island, also known as "Love Island", is a small island in the Panamanian Caribbean, with clear sand, turquoise water and palm trees leaning over the shore. It's on the Costa Arriba of Colón, very close to Portobelo and Puerto Lindo, and about 2 hours by road from Panama City. From there you only need a short boat ride to cross.

It's one of the favorite destinations for weekends, day trips and camping nights facing the sea. Here you have the most complete and updated guide: location, how to get there, 2025 prices, activities, where to camp and local tips.

• Location: Costa Arriba of Colón, Caribbean Panama, facing Puerto Lindo / Portobelo. • Access: road from Panama City + boat ride of a few minutes. • Other names: Love Island. • Beach type: calm water like a natural pool, almost no waves. • Ideal for: families with children, couples, groups looking for "turquoise Caribbean" without taking a plane. • Star plan: swimming, simple snorkeling, picnic under palm trees and camping facing the sea. • Best time: dry season and weekdays (fewer people).

This island is usually considered one of the most beautiful and accessible beaches of the Panamanian Caribbean without having to go to San Blas or Bocas del Toro.

Where is Mamey Island Located?

Mamey Island is in the province of Colón, on the Caribbean coast of Panama, facing the Puerto Lindo / Portobelo area. It's part of the so-called "Costa Arriba", a stretch full of calm bays, mangroves and crystal-clear water.

The island is protected by a natural reef. That creates a kind of shallow lagoon without strong waves, like a large pool in the middle of the sea. That's why it's very popular for families with small children, people who are not expert swimmers or those who simply want to float and relax without strong currents.

Important: in Panama there are other places sometimes called "Mamey Island", even further north in Guna Yala. When people talk about "Mamey Island Colón", they're referring to this one on the Costa Arriba, near Portobelo.

Extra useful fact: Portobelo is an ancient Spanish colonial port, with forts and historic cannons. Many tours combine Portobelo (cultural stop) + Mamey Island (postcard beach) in the same day.

How to Get to Mamey Island from Panama City

There are three main ways to get there: by car, by bus or with an organized tour.

1. By Private Car

Leave Panama City via the Corredor Norte / highway towards Colón.
Follow the coastal road towards Portobelo and then towards Puerto Lindo.
In the Puerto Lindo area (or near Miramar, depending on the exact point where you get off) you'll find piers with local boatmen.
Leave the car in a guarded parking lot and take the boat to Mamey Island.
Travel time: more or less 1.5 to 2 hours by road, depending on traffic, plus a boat crossing of between 5 and 10 minutes. It's super direct.
Local tip: leave early. Arriving before 9:00 a.m. helps you find good parking, negotiate better for the boat and choose your spot on the beach.

2. By Bus

This route is cheaper but takes more time.
From the Albrook Terminal (Panama City) take a bus towards Colón.
In Colón, you change to a local bus or minibus that travels the Costa Arriba (Portobelo / Puerto Lindo).
Ask to be dropped off near the pier (Puerto Lindo or Miramar, depending on where the bus goes).
Walk to the pier and arrange the crossing with a boatman.
Recommendation: bring cash in small bills. Neither the local bus nor the boatman will accept cards.

3. Organized Tour / Full Day

This is the most comfortable option if you don't want to drive or coordinate anything.

What does a full day tour usually include?

Round trip transport from your hotel in Panama City.
Quick stop in Portobelo for photos.
Boat between various points of the Colón Caribbean (Mamey Island, Natural Pool, Tunnel of Love, Monkey Island).
Free time on the beach.
Simple Caribbean-style lunch.
Basic snorkeling equipment and life vest.
Guide (sometimes bilingual).

They normally pick you up very early and you return to the city in the afternoon/evening, tired and sunburned, but happy.

Approximate Prices

Prices change according to season (long weekends, Carnival, school holidays), but these are typical figures:

Tolls/highway from Panama City to Colón: ~USD 5 each way.
Secure parking at the pier (Puerto Lindo / Miramar): ~USD 3–5 per day.
Round trip boat to Mamey Island:
USD 5–7 per person on local shared plan.
USD 10–15 per person if you're a tourist, it's a weekend or you're asking for private transfer.
Entry / island use (maintenance, cleaning): ~USD 2–3 per person.
Overnight camping with your own tent: around USD 8 per person/night.
Rental of a rustic ranchito / cabin on the island: from ~USD 25 per night (basic comfort).
Full day tour departing from the coast (without transport from Panama City): ~USD 55 per person, normally with several stops at different islands and sandbars.
Full day "door to door" tour from Panama City with ground transport included: ~USD 70 per person.

Key tip: ALWAYS ask before getting on the boat what exactly the price includes and what time they'll pick you up for return. You avoid surprises.

What to Do on Mamey Island

Mamey Island is not just "nice photo and done". You can easily spend the whole day without getting bored.

1. Swim in Calm Pool-Like Water

The sea in front of the main beach looks like a natural pool. There are very shallow areas, without strong waves and with warm emerald green water. It's perfect for floating, relaxing and letting time pass effortlessly.

For families it's a dream: kids playing in calm water without strong currents.

2. Snorkel in Shallow Reefs

In the shallower part, near the shore, there's still visible marine life: low corals, small tropical fish, starfish. You don't need to be a professional diver. With basic mask and goggles you can already see quite a bit.

Golden rule: don't grab or take starfish out of the water for photos. Taking them out can kill them. Use biodegradable or "reef-safe" sunscreen. Common lotions damage coral and wildlife in such shallow waters.

3. Caribbean Photos (Palm Trees + White Sand)

The palm trees leaning towards the sea and the clear sand are literally the typical photo of Mamey Island. It's the type of image that ends up on Instagram with people saying "Is that really Panama?". Yes, it's Panama.

If you want that photo without people in the background: arrive early or visit during the week.

4. Jump from the Trampoline-Type Rock

At one end of the island there's a low rock formation (about 2 meters high) that many use as a "natural mini trampoline". It's the adrenaline moment of the day. Before jumping, check the depth and that there's no one below.

5. Kayak and Paddle Board

Some boatmen rent equipment (kayak or paddle board) by the hour, from about 10 dollars. Going around the island by paddle is excellent to see the coast from outside, with the tropical jungle contrasting with the turquoise water.

6. Picnic and Hammock Under the Palm Trees

Mamey Island still feels rustic. There are no huge beach bars or resorts on top of the sand. The normal thing is that people bring their own cooler, food, fruits, water and set up a picnic under natural shade.

You can hang a travel hammock between palm trees (without damaging them) and just stay there listening to the soft waves. This is the real rhythm of the Panamanian Caribbean.

7. Mini Hike / Exploration

There are areas of low vegetation and short trails. Walking a bit around the island lets you see better the different tones of the water, seagrass and coral formations.

The Best Tour Stops (Besides Mamey Island)

Almost no serious tour does "just Mamey Island and done". They normally combine several nearby points of the Costa Arriba of Colón. These are the most common stops:

Natural Pool / Natural Pools Shallow sandbars in the middle of the sea. Basically you'll be standing with water at your waist in the middle of turquoise Caribbean. It's very photogenic and perfect for relaxing calmly in clear waters.
Tunnel of Love A mangrove channel where the boat slowly crosses under branches and roots that form a kind of natural green tunnel. It's a very popular stop for couples and romantic photos.
Monkey Island Mangrove areas where you can observe monkeys. Family groups love it because it's a "nature experience" without needing to walk long distances in the jungle.
Historic Portobelo Many packages include a quick stop in Portobelo: colonial forts, ancient cannons pointing at the sea, historic churches. Portobelo is a World Heritage Site for its importance on the Spanish colonial route. It's a rare and fascinating mix: 17th century military history 20 minutes from perfect Caribbean beaches.

This combination (history + mangroves + sandbars + tropical island) is one of the reasons why the complete excursion is worth it.

When to Go to Mamey Island (Climate, High Season, Recommended Days)

Costa Arriba of Colón is Caribbean: heat all year, high humidity and rains that can fall hard but short. Unlike the Pacific side, the "dry season" in the Caribbean is not always so dry, but there are windows with calmer sea and clearer skies, especially between December and April.

Weekend and national holidays = lots of people. During the week (Tuesday, Wednesday) you can find the island quiet, almost private.

Tip: if your idea is to take photos without crowds or do romantic camping, avoid holiday weekends and Carnival.

Practical Tips for Visiting Mamey Island

Arrive early. Before 9:00 a.m. you're already at the pier, ideally. That way you secure natural shade on the beach.
Bring cash in small bills (1, 5, 10 USD). The boat, the entrance, the parking... everything is paid in cash.
Biodegradable / "reef safe" sunscreen. Protect the coral and marine life.
Water shoes or closed sandals for the water. There are areas with coral, rocks and small urchins.
Don't touch or take starfish or other marine wildlife out for photos. It's harmful to the ecosystem.
Cell signal: there's usually intermittent coverage (enough to upload stories and send location, but don't trust working remotely there).
Bring a bag for garbage and return with everything. The island is small. If you leave it dirty, it shows.

Very important: Mamey Island still feels natural. If it starts filling up with plastic and cigarette butts, the magic ends. Responsible tourism is not a nice phrase, it's literally what keeps this place alive.

Where to Sleep Near Mamey Island

Portobelo / Puerto Lindo Area

Here there are hostels, guesthouses and family accommodations facing the sea, with relaxed Caribbean atmosphere. It's the most practical base if you want to get up early and be first on the boat to the island. There are usually options from around 20 USD per night in simple rooms.

Boutique Accommodation

In the Portobelo area there are also luxury boutique accommodations like "private villa on the bay", with pool, private chef and more exclusive service. Many of these places offer direct boat coordination to nearby islands, including Mamey Island. It's a very popular alternative for couples who want beach during the day and total comfort at night (good bed, air conditioning, quiet dinner).

In summary:

Low budget → hostel/guesthouse in Portobelo or Puerto Lindo.
Romantic-luxury experience → boutique lodge facing the sea in the same Caribbean bay.
Pure adventurer → tent on the island.

FAQ Mamey Island

Where exactly is Mamey Island located?

On the Costa Arriba of Colón, Panamanian Caribbean, facing Puerto Lindo / Portobelo. Approximately 2 hours by road from Panama City and 5–10 minutes by boat.

How to get to Mamey Island by bus?

Bus from Albrook Terminal towards Colón, then local bus along the Costa Arriba to Portobelo / Puerto Lindo, get off at the pier and cross by boat. It's cheaper than going by car, but slower and less comfortable if you're carrying a lot of luggage.

What to do on Mamey Island?

Swim in calm water like a natural pool, snorkel in shallow reefs, photos under palm trees, jump from low rocks, picnic on the sand, rent kayak or paddle, watch the sunset and (if you want) stay to camp.

Is it safe for children?

Yes, the main water is shallow and without strong waves. Still, always supervise. It's the Caribbean, not a municipal pool.

Can I bring pets?

Some boatmen accept dogs on leash, others don't. Ask before getting on the boat. Remember to clean up after your pet so as not to affect the beach.

Are there bathrooms on the island?

There are basic bathrooms / latrines. Bring paper, antibacterial gel and a "rustic beach" mentality, not "all-inclusive resort".

Do I have to book the boat in advance?

During the week you can normally negotiate when you arrive. On long weekends, school holidays and holidays, it's best to coordinate with a boatman or book a tour in advance.

What happens if it rains?

In the Caribbean rain can fall hard and then stop quickly. Rain doesn't mean "end of trip", but it does mean your tent should be waterproof and you should protect your electronics in dry bags.

What is the best island to visit near Panama City?

It depends on what you're looking for. If you want turquoise Caribbean water in one day, paying reasonable prices and without taking a plane, Mamey Island is one of the best options. If you want indigenous culture and remote beaches with almost no infrastructure, look at San Blas (Guna Yala). If you want partying and Caribbean nightlife, look at Bocas del Toro. If you want something more exclusive like a "private romantic getaway", look at the Pearl Islands Archipelago. But for a "quick and direct Caribbean" from the capital, Mamey Island wins many points.

Conclusion: Why Mamey Island is Worth It

Mamey Island has something that's hard to find so close to Panama City: transparent Caribbean water, clear sand, quiet atmosphere and easy access. You can go for the day, you can go on a tour with several stops, you can stay to sleep in a tent under the stars or you can use Portobelo/Puerto Lindo as a base and make it your private beach for a morning.

It's not a massive resort or an urban beach full of noisy vendors. It's a piece of Caribbean that still feels natural and manageable. That's the reason why people come back and why Mamey Island photos explode on social media.

Plan it well, respect the place, take your garbage with you, don't touch marine life and support local boatmen. That way Mamey Island will continue to be what it is today: one of the most accessible and most photogenic jewels of the Panamanian Caribbean.

Sources & Foot Notes

[1] Tourism Panama - Isla Mamey
[2] Allys Tours - Isla Mamey